CO129-056 - Sir Bowring - 1856 [6] — Page 222

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed

Si J. Bouring had thought proper to volunteer on a question long previously settled. Some apprehension was expressed in the minutes that

if any exception whatever were admitted, the general rule regarding Quarters could not be enforced. But it appears to me that a Government could surely concede a privilege claimable by usage and under a specific promise, without being thereby prevented from ever afterwards enforcing a general and prohibitive rule against special privileges.

Be this as it may, however, the fact remains that on the 18th March 1856, Lord Stanley's general rule against Quarters was infringed, and that the Secretary of State must support the same view against admitting Capt. Watkins' claims.

The result is the dispatch now received, which brings a respectful but earnest appeal from Capt. Watkins. He points out that when the Secretary of State had pronounced in his favor, and that being done suddenly, without his even being aware that any question was pending, he finds the decision in his favor reversed. He naturally infers, therefore, that some part of the correspondence must have been overlooked; and he earnestly applies for a reconsideration of his case.

Whatever line be now adopted must equally be open to the objection of inconsistency. My opinion is that Capt. Watkins is in the right, and that the proper course is to state that the positive decisions previously given in his favor had not been...

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Si J. Bouring had thought proper to volunteer on a question long previously settled. Some apprehension was expressed in the minutes that if any exception whatever were admitted, the general rule regarding Quarters could not be enforced. But it appears to me that a Government could surely concede a privilege claimable by usage and under a specific promise, without being thereby prevented from ever afterwards enforcing a general and prohibitive rule against special privileges. Be this as it may, however, the fact remains that on the 18th March 1856, Lord Stanley's general rule against Quarters was infringed, and that the Secretary of State must support the same view against admitting Capt. Watkins' claims. The result is the dispatch now received, which brings a respectful but earnest appeal from Capt. Watkins. He points out that when the Secretary of State had pronounced in his favor, and that being done suddenly, without his even being aware that any question was pending, he finds the decision in his favor reversed. He naturally infers, therefore, that some part of the correspondence must have been overlooked; and he earnestly applies for a reconsideration of his case. Whatever line be now adopted must equally be open to the objection of inconsistency. My opinion is that Capt. Watkins is in the right, and that the proper course is to state that the positive decisions previously given in his favor had not been... Page 220 1
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Si J. Bouring had thought proper to volunteers on a question long previously settled. Some apprehension was es pressed in the minutes that f Any exception whatever, were Admitted, the generals Rule Quarters could not be exforced. But it appears to me that a against Govenment could surely Carcede a privilege claimable by usage and under a specific promise, without being thereby prevented from ever afterwards enfreing a general And proplative rule against sual privileges. Be this as it on away, however, of the Awever was on the 18." March 1856 that And Stauley's general rule against Quarters was infreed, and that the to be en Secretary of State must support the Smeme's view against Admitting Capt. Watkins Claims The result. is the dispateb now a 220 now received which brings respectful bit earnest appeal from Capt trathing. He points out that lives the Secretary of Fate had pronounced in his favor, favor, and that's being thew Inddenly, without his even aware that any question was pending, he finds the decision in his favor reversed. He naturally :fers therefore that some part of the Correspondence must have been overlooked; and he earnestly a reconsideration of applies for his case. Whatever line be nov Adopted muret equally be open to the objection of inconsistency. My opinion is that Capt: Watkins is in the right, And that the proper cause is to state that the positive decisions previously in his favor had not givew 1
2026-05-18 03:01:11 · Baseline
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Si J. Bouring had thought proper to volunteers on a question long previously settled. Some apprehension was es pressed in the minutes that

f Any exception whatever, were Admitted, the generals Rule Quarters could not be exforced. But it appears to me that a

against

Govenment could surely Carcede a privilege claimable by usage

and under a

specific promise,

without being thereby prevented from ever afterwards enfreing a general And proplative rule against

sual privileges.

Be this as it on

away, however,

of

the Awever was on the 18."

March 1856 that And Stauley's general rule against Quarters was

infreed, and that the

to be en

Secretary of State must support the Smeme's view against Admitting Capt. Watkins Claims

The result. is the dispateb

now

a

220

now received which brings respectful bit earnest appeal from Capt trathing. He points out that lives the Secretary of Fate had pronounced in his favor,

favor, and that's

being

thew Inddenly, without his even aware that any question was pending, he finds the decision in his favor reversed. He naturally

:fers therefore that some part of the Correspondence must have been overlooked; and he earnestly a reconsideration of

applies for

his case.

Whatever line be nov Adopted muret equally be open to the objection of inconsistency. My opinion is that Capt: Watkins

is in the

right,

And that the

proper cause is to state that the positive decisions previously

in his favor had not

givew

1

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